Blog, Interviews, Q&A and Updates

Celebrating a Decade of Creativity, Design & Letterforms

Join me in celebrating 10 years as a creative business of one through the ups and downs of an independent designer.

Nov 1, 2024

Write Here, Write Now | Newsletter

This month’s newsletter is about reading and writing, two powerful tools for learning and reflection.

Sep 2, 2024

Calligraphy Education: Sharing My Design Process

My creative practice is set by the principles of never stop learning, sharing knowledge and create emotion through my work.

Aug 2, 2024

Typism Featuring Lettering with Maria Montes

What initially inspired you to start lettering, and how did you discover your passion for it?

Jul 12, 2024

AI (Artificial Intimacy) | Newsletter

“Artificial Intimacy,” coined by Belgian-American psychotherapist Esther Perel. In her own words “Modern loneliness masks as hyper-connectivity”.

Jul 2, 2024

Barcelona x Graphic Designers | Resources

Barcelona for graphic designers is my incomplete and ever evolving list of resources for any creative visiting this amazing city for the first time(s). Life post-Covid change rapidly, so check every businesses’ updated info and opening hours before heading there. Enjoy!

Jun 6, 2024

Istanbul (Not Constantinople) | Newsletter

On April 1st, my partner and I landed in Istanbul and WOW… I decided not to do research beforehand because I wanted to feel the city first, and after a few days in, I already knew that I will be back.

May 2, 2024

TDC70 Winner | Certificate of Typographic Excellence

I’m really happy to share with all of you that the Type Directors Club has awarded my Calligraphic editorial commissioned by Pentagram for Middlebury Magazine, yay!!!

Apr 1, 2024

Women’s History Month | Newsletter

Women’s History Month is here, and I would like to take the opportunity to share my own journey with all of you. As I mentioned in my January newsletter, this year marks 10 years as an independent creative business of one.

Mar 1, 2024

Women in Type & Design | Resource Updated [2024]

This is an ongoing resource of fonts designed by women, as well as supporting material to learn more about female and non-binary graphic and type designers.

Mar 1, 2024

Celebrating Ten | Newsletter

My first newsletter of the year comes with a couple of big announcements. The first one is that I’m CELEBRATING 10 years as an independent creative business of one!

Jan 16, 2024

Calligraphy as a Mindful Practice

In 2012, I started to practice calligraphy every morning for one hour before opening my laptop. It became a form of meditation, just for me and for my own professional and personal development.

Dec 19, 2023

Latin One | Calligraphy Mechanics

On December 7, 2023 I’ll be giving a guest lecture as part of the Latin One Practica Program called “Calligraphy Mechanics”.

Nov 15, 2023

A Hurting World | Newsletter

I question once again our humanity, and the role of design in all of it. I question our design associations and their leadership. I witness my own privilege, and question if I have something valuable to say.

Nov 7, 2023

Script Alphabets: Grow, branch out and flourish!

This course will introduce you, in a practical manner, to Copperplate calligraphy, script lettering, and the design of script alphabets through writing, hand lettering, and vector drawing.

Oct 20, 2023

Calligraphic Editorial | Communication Arts Winner 2024

Communications Arts (CA) Magazine informed me that the calligraphic editorial has won an award in the calligraphy/hand lettering category, yay!!!

Oct 1, 2023

Super Keen On Berlin | Newsletter

July was hot and humid in bustling Barcelona. The city displayed its most festive attitude, and we made the most of it. At the end of July, we landed in cool Berlin to spend five weeks with Carlos, my oldest friend.

Sep 1, 2023

Inspire, Educate, Entertain | Newsletter

The last couple of months have been about meeting old friends, making new ones and learning about very talented people around the globe.

Jul 3, 2023

Ama Foundry | Arabic-Latin Logotype Collab

Recently I collaborated with Arabic type designer Lara Captan designing the Latin version of her brand new type project called Ama Foundry.

May 30, 2023

Ants In My Pants | Newsletter

Today, I’ll give you an update on my nomad life since the start of 2023, and what’s coming in the following months.

May 3, 2023

Women’s Freedom Means Social Freedom | Newsletter

International Women’s Day is not for celebrating. It is for protesting against and raising awareness about the fact that people are still being oppressed or treated differently […]

Mar 8, 2023

Pump Up Your Copperplate | Course Announcement

Official presentation and announcement video. Refine, up-skill and fine tune your existing Copperplate calligraphy skills with this pre-recorded self-paced course. Life-time access.

Mar 4, 2022

Back To School | Newsletter

Today in Barcelona, I’m sitting at a different type of table. It’s my third day back to school —that’s how I like to call it— because every email, every experience and every single challenge can be an opportunity to learn, grow and becoming wiser.

16 Jan 2023

Nibs | Beginners Copperplate FAQ Series

My new educational video is called “Nibs”. It is a part of a series called Copperplate FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), where I answer questions about Copperplate calligraphy that many of my students have asked before.

Dec 23. 2022

Barcelona Housing Lottery | Newsletter

On August 18th I landed in Barcelona after three long years and a global pandemic away. I had never seen my parents as happy as during the first days we were back at their home.

Nov 1, 2022

Thai Type Tourist | Newsletter

On July 19th, my partner and I moved to Thailand for one month while working remotely.We rented an apartment next to the Chiang Mai University.

Sep 6, 2022

Change starts in the classrooms | Article

I live on an island where more than the 28% of us were born overseas in over 200 countries; where a quarter of the population speak 260 languages other than English […]

Aug 12, 2022

Paper | Beginner Copperplate FAQs Series

In this video I am answering common questions about Copperplate calligraphy. In this particular case, I’m focusing on the types of paper that can be used for calligraphy.

Jul 23, 2022

Love in the Time of Hysteria | Newsletter

Since antiquity, the term “hysteria” has been applied to a wide variety of both physical and emotional ailments. What all these ailments have in common […]

July 7, 2022

Type Design Education for Graphic Designers | Lecture

Recently, I gave a guest lecture part of the “Principles of Typeface Design” class lead by Troy Leinster at Type@Copper in New York City. I decided to make this presentation […]

May 15, 2022

The University of Youtube | Newsletter

In September 2020 I decided to release my first educational video. Many colleagues of mine refer to this platform as the University of Youtube […]

May 3, 2022

Cooking Up A Design | Understanding Branding Assets Better | Article

In 2019 while I was teaching typography, calligraphy and lettering at RMIT University, I explained to my students

Apr 1, 2022

On The Move | Newsletter

In this March newsletter, I want to share with you a life update and a thought I had while moving from one big city to a small coastal town 1500Km away.

Mar 3, 2022

The Best Is Yet To Come | Newsletter

I know this is a cliché, and I know I can be very wrong, but I decide to go out and look up for 2022. I am starting this year’s newsletter sweet and short, and with something that brings me true joy […]

Jan 11, 2022

Learning To See | Newsletter

I want to share with you a post from Paula Bonet, a Spanish artist I admire, reflecting on the topics of education and personal style.

Nov 1, 2021

The Lockdown Diaries | Newsletter

A couple of weeks ago, I reconnected with a friend of mine and gave her un update on my last 18 months in Australia. After talking to her, I thought of sharing my thoughts with all of you.

Sept 1, 2021

Summer School in Winter | Newsletter

The last couple of months have been highly educational. I live-streamed Typographics, and took part of their TypeLabs Asia Channel program with a short […]

Jul 15, 2021

Anne Lamott’s 12 Truths I Learned from Life & Writing

12 Truths I Learned from Life and Writing by Anne Lamott, syndicated from ted.com, Feb 12, 2019. Article via DailyGood.

Jul 12, 2021

Australia’s First Languages | Signwriting

For tens of thousands of years, hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages have been spoken across Australia. At the time of European colonisation […]

Jun 6, 2021

Across Borders Project | Solidarity Posters

Across Borders is a global, cross-cultural initiative that believes in design as a tool to create boundaries and create a positive impact on society.

June 3, 2021

Every Small Victory Matters | Newsletter

Life can be exhausting, specially if you deeply care about what’s going on here in Melbourne, and around the world. Having high levels of empathy can be a blessing […]

May 31, 2021

Ten Years in Ten Minutes from an Independent Designer

Recently, I was invited to give a talk as part of Intentional’s 10th Birthday Celebration under the theme “What can you do in ten?”. Basically, I summarised my last 10 years […]

May 21, 2021

Forty-four and Still Learning | Newsletter

Respect women by listening to their needs, and act accordingly. Support women by creating safe and respectful environments for them to thrive […]

Mar 26, 2021

Home | Newsletter

Go back to museums without a mask, do cheap-Monday movie nights, hug my friends like it’s new year’s eve every night, and see the Pyrenees from the sky […]

Jan 22, 2021

Finding Your Inner Compass | Newsletter

“I don’t think that anything I have ever done is something that I have ever been really satisfied with!” This 90-minute “Conversation with Ed Benguiat and Kris Holmes” gives […]

Nov 16, 2020

Find Your Inner Compass As A Lettering Artist | Article

Recently, Dominique Falla asked me to be part of Typism’s new podcast series, and talk about the concept of inner compass.

Sep 30, 2020

Zooming In | Newsletter

Another two months have passed, and trying to summarise the times we are living feels like a big challenge. In July, just twenty […]

Sep 1, 2020

What Now? | Newsletter

It’s hard for me to summarise the last few weeks. Discomfort, shame and pain while taking an introspective look at myself and acknowledging my […]

Jul 7, 2020

Copperplate Calligraphy Retreat 2021

In this 15-hour calligraphy retreat, you’ll learn the foundations of Copperplate calligraphy, starting from the basic strokes of the lowercase alphabet […]

Jul 1, 2020

Roller Coaster | Newsletter

Sometimes, I have moments when I don’t know if I’m more scared about the idea of everything changing, or the idea that nothing […]

May 1, 2020

Calligraphy Retreat 2020 | Photo Gallery

A huge THANK YOU to all my students for coming along and supporting me on my first calligraphy retreat in Australia

March 31, 2020

The Quiet Ones | Newsletter

This newsletter is a call out to all men AND women to support and champion women today, and every day.

Mar 8, 2020

The Heroine’s Journey of Maria Montes | Interview

All creative women who came before me, who didn’t find representation in the industry but kept showing up […]

Jan 1, 2020

Our House is On Fire | Article

“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want your panic. I want you to act. I want you behave like our house is on fire. Because it is” by Greta Thunberg.

Jan 12, 2020

MLC Open Studio | Meet Up

I’m opening the doors of my studio as part of the Melbourne Lettering Club end of the year meet up. This is a free event but […]

Nov 8, 2019

She Did It! | Newsletter

My trip overseas this year was better than ever. I opened my second solo exhibition in Spain, I spoke at TypeParis and Adobe France, and I had the […]

Sep 3, 2019

Shitshow Exhibition | Virtual Tour

Virtual tour to my current solo exhibition currently open at The Art Centre Tinglado 2 in Tarragona, Spain […]

Jul 29, 2019

TYPEPARIS with Maria Montes | Q&A

We have Maria Montes sharing with us this year at TypeParis. We wanted to find out a little more about her, so have […]

Jun 28, 2019

Good Shit Takes Time | Free Wallpaper

This is a free wallpaper to remind you all that good work takes a huge amount of time. Click on the hyperlinks below […]

May 1, 2019

International Women’s Day (IWD 2019) | Article

Last month, I started to teach calligraphy and typography at RMIT university. Like any new job, the first weeks […]

Mar 8, 2019

What have you learned from this year? | Article

This letter was intended to go out in early January but this month, I changed my mind and decided to send it […]

Dec 29, 2018

The Best is Yet to Come | Design Feast Interview

The Best is Yet to Come: Maria Montes Improves and Grows as a Freelance Designer, Illustrator, Letterer and Educator.

Nov 18, 2018

Why does creative work cost money? | Article

A few weeks ago I was approached by a client who asked me to participate in a pitch. My first reaction was […]

Nov 1, 2018

Having a creative block? | Article

A few weeks ago, after a conference talk at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a student asked me “what do you […]”

Sep 11, 2018

How to prepare a calligraphy course | Article

At the end of July, I travelled to France to attend a five-day residential course with Mrs Amanda Adams. This is the […]

Sep 6, 2018

Green Fairy Font Family | Font Release

Green Fairy is a chromatic font family highly ornamented for display purposes. Green Fairy has four chromatic weights […]

May 29, 2018

The Design Conference Brisbane | Keynote Speaker

It’s a great honour and a huge pleasure to have been invited to speak at this year’s The Design Conference Brisbane […]

Apr 1, 2018

International Women’s Day 2018 | Article

In honour of International Women’s Day, I want to show my face and give my support to all creative women out there […]

Mar 8, 2018

Type Conferences 2018 | Resources

Living in Australia is awesome but one of the toughest moment during the year is when the “type conference season” starts. If you —like me— […]

Jan 31, 2018

Type Conferences 2017 | Resources

We salute those type conference organisers who decided to use their 2017 chapter as an opportunity to improve their speakers lists towards […]

Sat 6, Jan 2018

The Shit Series | Part IX

My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 97 posts and counting! Check out the latest 7 posts. Check out the entire shit […]

Dec 1, 2017

Roman Capitals | Calligraphy Retreat

This year, I was fortunate enough to travel to Saint Antoine l’Abbaye (France) for the third time to be part of a 6-day Roman […]

Nov 14, 2017

Scared Shitless | Conference Transcript Talk

This is the transcript of my talk at TYPISM Conference on September 30, about facing fear and getting out of your comfort zone. […]

Sep 30, 2017

Typism Conference | Keynote Speaker

Watching yourself on screen is shocking! Last weekend, I watched my Typism talk and I was like: “WTF?! That’s how I talk… And my accent…” […]

Sep 30, 2017

Typodarium 2018 | Font In Use

The guys from Typodarium are featuring my Green Fairy font on their golden 2018 edition. A 365 day type calendar with a fresh font for every day! […]

Sep 15, 2017

The Shit Series | Part VIII

My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 90 posts and counting! Check out the latest 4 posts. Check out the entire shit […]

Sep 14, 2017

The Shit Series | Part VII

My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 86 posts and counting! Check out the latest 18 posts. Check out the entire shit […]

June 6, 2017

Maria Montes Featured Profile | Interview

Recently I talked to the lovely Enza Lacherdis from Typerie. The interview is now up on her site full resources and personal insights […]

May 9, 2017

Insights with Maria Montes | Interview

Chorus Insights / This month we meet with Maria Montes our long term collaborator as she reflects on her life of patterns and […]

May 1, 2017

The Shit Series | Part VI

My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 67 posts and counting! Check out the latest 9 posts here […]

Feb 1, 2017

John’s Signs Private Collection | Article

A couple of months ago my partner and I spent a weekend away near Warrangul. In the AirB&B where we stayed, I found a […]

Feb 1, 2017

The Great Copperplate Myth | Article

Last September 2016, I was lucky enough to visit my teachers Amanda and Keith Adams at their house in Catalonia for five days of private […]

Feb 1, 2017

The Shit Cards | Online Store

With the help of many of my friends, I have selected 7 posts from my ongoing personal project The Shit Series and turned them […]

Dec 4, 2016

Hidden gems: Renaissance Bookbinding | Article

In 2012 I discovered a great hidden treasure in Fitzroy North called Renaissance Bookbinding. I walked […]

Dec 1, 2016

The Shit Series | Part V

My ongoing personal project called “The Shit Series” has reached 58 posts and counting! Check out the latest 15 […]

Nov 30, 2016

Learning Calligraphy | Article

Last month, September 2016 I was lucky enough to visit my teachers Amanda and Keith Adams at their house in […]

Oct 12, 2016

10th Anniversary in Australia | Article

Ten years ago today I landed in Australia and I am not going anywhere. Many things have happened in the last […]

Set 28, 2016

Rebranding Myself | Case Study

When you are your own client and don’t like any proposals you come up with. More than a decade ago I designed […]

Jul 4, 2016

Introduction to Calligraphy | Article

I am writing this article with the intention of clarifying a few things about calligraphy, and to hopefully shed some light on misunderstandings about […]

Apr 12, 2016

Calligraphy Workshop for Beginners | Article

This past 28th of February 2016, I hosted a Copperplate Calligraphy workshop at Como House & Gardens […]

Feb 28, 2016

Breaking The Ice | Solo Exhibition

I’m really excited to present my new body of work featuring a series of illustrated cocktail artworks and patterns prints […]

Dec 1, 2015

WIP | Mojito Cocktail

Mojito, Pasión Cubana is a new illustrated artwork inspired by the classic Cuban drink. My idea about Cuba is a place with great architecture, vibrant colours […]

Nov 24, 2015

WIP | Absinthe

I am working on a new illustrated cocktail piece inspired by the classic French liquor called Absinthe, La Fée Verte (The Green Fairy). This is a brief […]

Nov 7, 2015

First Solo Exhibition in Melbourne

I am very excited to announce my first ever solo exhibition in Melbourne called Breaking The Ice. Embracing both aspects of this idiom – making a start […]

Oct 1, 2015

WIP | Negroni Cocktail

Ciao Negroni! is a new illustrated artwork featuring this classic Italian cocktail. The inspiration behind this piece is a blog post from BonAppetit.com […]

Sep 25, 2016

Celtic | Calligraphy Retreat

In August 2015, I attended a Celtic calligraphy workshop in Saint Antoine L’Abbaye (France) with Mrs Amanda Adams. The workshop is a 6-day […]

Aug 10, 2015

Italic | Calligraphy Retreat

In August 2015, I attended a calligraphy workshop in Saint Antoine l’Abbaye (France) under the tuition of Keith Adams. The course started on a Monday […]

Aug 4, 2015

WIP | Margarita Artwork

I am working on a new piece inspired by Nieuw Amsterdam’s Piña Margarita cocktail. My aim is to create a series of illustrated cocktail artworks, each of […]

Jul 25, 2015

WIP | Espresso Martini

I am working on a new artwork featuring an Espresso Martini. This year I have started to teach Computer Aided Design at Melbourne Fashion Institute […]

Jun 25, 2015

WIP | Old Fashioned Artwork

Last March 2015, Nieuw Amsterdam contacted me in regards to having an exhibition of my artworks. They saw my Bloody Maria […]

May 6, 2016

WIP | Gin Tonic Artwork

For the last 4 years I have been lucky enough to visit friends and family and spend over a month in Barcelona. Everyone who lives there knows that gin tonics […]

Apr 15, 2015

Bloody Maria in London

I’m really happy to announce that after selling my framed artwork at Supergraph Melbourne, three copies of this piece are traveling to Europe to be represented […]

March 22, 2015

Typism Book Two

Last April 2015 I received my contributor’s copy of Typism Book 2, a real honour to be part of this compilation full of great artists and designer around […]

Mar 2, 2015

Fraktur | Calligraphy Retreat

In August 2014, I spent one week in Saint-Anotine-l’Abbaye (France) studying Fraktur calligraphy with Keith and Amanda Adams, two amazing teacher […]

Aug 6, 2014

MarchTwentyTwo | Embroidered Logotype

MarchTwentyTwo is my personal design label and a Melbourne-based design studio focused on textile design, limited edition art prints and scarves […]

Jan 6, 2014

The Great Weave | Artwork

Modern Carolingian calligraphic artwork called The Great Wave. Work dedicated to Hokusai Katsushika for his talented drawing skills and his […]

Mar 6, 2011